Thermal Polymerization and Depolymerization Reactions of 10 Sulfur Allotropes Studied by HPLC and DSC [1]

The thermal decomposition (polymerization, depolymerization, ring interconversion) of a number of sulfur allotropes (S₆, S₇, S₈, S₁₀, S₁₂, S₁₃, S₂₀, polymeric sulfur) has been investigated theoretically (on the basis of Gee's theory) and experimentally by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the temperature region of 30–250°C. While the polymerization of liquid S₈ is endothermic and endentropic (ΔS > 0), liquid S₇ polymerizes exothermically and endentropically, and liquid S₆ exothermically but exentropically (ΔS > 0). Therefore, a floor temperature exists for the polymerization of S₈ and a hypothetical very high ceiling temperature for the polymerization of S₆, while S₇ is unstable with respect to polymerization over the whole temperature region. Excepting S₈, all investigated cyclic sulfur allotropes yield polymeric sulfur on heating to 60–150°C followed by depolymerization to the equilibrium sulfur melt consisting mainly of S₈, some S₇, and traces of S₆, S₉, S₁₂ and other rings. Polymeric sulfur (S_μ) slowly dissolves in CS₂ at 20°C to give S₈, S₇ and traces of other rings (mainly S₆, S₉, S₁₂). On heating of the S_μ/CS₂ mixture in sealed ampoules to 80–100°C complete dissolution takes place within several hours or days and the rings S₈ and S₇ are the main products.     

Metal-Containing Initiator Systems. IX. Radical Polymerizations of Vinyl Monomers by Various Metal Acetylacetonates

Abstract

A study of the polymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, and vinyl chloride initiated by various metal acetylacetonates [Me(acac)_x] has been made. It was found that Mn(acac)₃ was the most effective initiator, and Co(acac)₃, Mn(acac)₂, Cu(acac)₂, and Cr(acac)₃ showed moderate activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate at 60°C. However, the other, Me(acac)_x, had no effect or served as inhibitors. The addition of some additives such as halogen compounds did not accelerate polymerization of methyl methacrylate by Mn(acac)₃, From the results of polymerization and copolymerization of methyl methacrylate by Mn(acac)₃, it was concluded that the polymerization proceeded via an ordinary radical mechanism and the activation energy for initiation was 25.2 kcal/mole. The initiation mechanism of vinyl polymerization by Me(acac)_x was studied on the basis of the complex formation with the monomer.     

Polymerization of vinyloxyaluminum and formation of syndiotactic poly(vinyl alcohol)

The polymerization of diisobutylvinyloxyaluminum, CH₂?CHOAl(i-Bu)₂, and diethylvinyloxyaluminum, CH₂?CHOAlEt₂, did not take place in the presence of typical radical or cationic initiators. The polymerization was realized at 60°C by the addition of tetrahydrofuran (THF) or tetrahydropyran, no conventional initiator being required. Diethyl ether, glyme, and dioxane were not effective on the polymerization. At Dry Ice–acetone temperature, polymerization did not take place, even in the presence of tetrahydrofuran, but did take place in the presence of both THF and SnCl₄. The role of cyclic ethers in the polymerization was studied. Polymers were converted into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by solvolysis. All the resulting PVA was syndiotactic; particularly polymers obtained at ?78°C showed syndiotactivity of 89%, which is the highest value ever reported.     

Living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers in the presence of a strong base: Poisonous or helpful?

A quite small dose of a poisonous species was found to induce living cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) in toluene at 0 °C. In the presence of a small amount of N,N‐dimethylacetamide, living cationic polymerization of IBVE was achieved using SnCl₄, producing a low polydispersity polymer (weight–average molecular weight/number–average molecular weight (M_w/M_n) ≤ 1.1), whereas the polymerization was terminated at its higher concentration. In addition, amine derivatives (common terminators) as stronger bases allow living polymerization when a catalytic quantity was used. On the other hand, EtAlCl₂ produced polymers with comparatively broad MWDs (M_w/M_n ～ 2), although the polymerization was slightly retarded. The systems with a strong base required much less quantity of bases than weak base systems such as ethers or esters for living polymerization. The strong base system exhibited Lewis acid preference: living polymerization proceeded only with SnCl₄, TiCl₄, or ZnCl₂, whereas a range of Lewis acids are effective for achieving living polymerization in the conventional weak base system such as an ester and an ether. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6746–6753, 2008     

Stereocontrol during the free‐radical polymerization of methacrylates with Lewis acids

The free‐radical polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, and 2‐methoxyethyl methacrylate were carried out in the presence of various Lewis acids. The MMA polymerization in the presence of scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate [Sc(OTf)₃] in toluene or CHCl₃ produced a polymer with a higher isotacticity and heterotacticity than that produced in the absence of Sc(OTf)₃. Similar effects were observed during the polymerization of the other monomers. ScCl₃, Yb(OTf)₃, Er(OTf)₃, HfCl₄, HfBr₄, and In(OTf)₃ also increased the isotacticity and heterotacticity of the polymers. The effects of the Lewis acids were greater in a solvent with a lower polarity and were negligible in tetrahydrofuran and N,N‐dimethylformamide. Sc(OTf)₃ was also found to accelerate the polymerization of MMA. On the basis of an NMR analysis of a mixture of Sc(OTf)₃, MMA, and poly(methyl methacrylate), the monomer–Sc(OTf)₃ interaction seems to be involved in the stereochemical mechanism of the polymerization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1463–1471, 2001     

Electrochemical and chemical polymerization of acrylamide

The electrochemical and chemical polymerization of acrylamide (AA) has been studied. The electrolysis of the monomer in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) containing (C₄H₉)₄NClO₄ as the supporting electrolyte leads to polymer formation in both anode and cathode compartments. The cathodic polymer dissolves in the reaction mixture and the anodic polymer precipitates during the course of polymerization. A plausible mechanism for the anodic and cathodic initiation reaction has been given. The chemical polymerization of acrylamide that has been initiated by HClO₄ is analogous to its anodic polymerization. The polymer yield increases with an increase in concentration of the monomer and HClO₄. Raising the reaction temperature also enhances the polymerization rate. The overall apparent activation energy of the polymerization was determined to be ca. 19 kcal/mole. The copolymerization of acrylamide was carried out with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in a solution of HClO₄ in DMF. The reactivity ratios are r₁ (AA) = 0.25 and r₂ = 2.50. The polymerization with HClO₄ appears to be by a free radical mechanism. When the polymerization of acrylamide is carried out with HClO₄ in H₂O, a crosslinked water-insoluble gel formation takes place.     

Studies on Polymerization Activities by Soluble Catalysts Based on Compounds of Organotransition Metals and Aluminum Alkyls

Polymerization activities of the soluble Ziegler-type of catalyst systems, Ti(OR)₄-AlEt₃, Ti(NEt₂)₄-AlMe₃, and V(NEt₂)4-AlEt₃, were investigated. In the catalyst system of Ti(OR)₄-AlEt₃, formation of two types of Ti(III) compounds, i.e., Ti(OR)₂Et and its bridged complex with aluminum alkyl, was confirmed by IR and ESR measurements. With the addition of donor molecule to the system, it was found that the polymer yield decreased remarkably and that the bridged complex dissociated into a single or uncomplex Ti(III) paramagnetic species. It has been concluded that the bridged structure of Ti(III) species was responsible for the polymerization activity of styrene. Two reaction products of Ti(NEt₂)₃Me and Al(NEt2)Me₂ were found by NMR spectroscopic observation with the Ti(NEt₂)₄-AlMe₃ catalyst system. From the kinetic study of polymerization of styrene, it was found that Ti(NEt₂)₃Me is an active species. An anionic mechanism was proposed for the styrene polymerization by Ti(NEt₂)₃Me. In the polymerization of MMA with the V(NEt₂)₄-AlEt₃ system, a difference in the tacticity of polymer was found to depend on the polymerization conditions, e.g., AI/V ratio and temperature. From an analysis of the tacticity of the polymer, the presence of two active sites in the propagation process is suggested.     

Effects of phosphorus oxychloride and phenylphosphonic dichloride on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene

Effects of pentavalent phosphorus compounds on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) were studied. Phosphorus oxychloride (Cl₃P?O) and phenyl-phosphonic dichloride (C₆H₅Cl₂P?O) were used. Polymerization was carried out in benzene at 50°C by the standard solution method, α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) being used as the initiator. In the polymerization of MMA, both phosphorus compounds increased the rate of polymerization. NMR spectral data suggested that this increasing effect was due to the complex formation between each phosphorus compound and MMA monomer. In the case of polymerization of St, NMR data also indicated the formation of a complex between the phosphorus compound and St monomer. Both phosphorus compounds showed an increasing effect for the rate of polymerization. Though these increasing effects could be explained by the complex formation, the polymerization of St in the presence of Cl₃P?O was especially found to be due to the cationic polymerization initiated simultaneously by Cl₃P?O in addition to the radical polymerization. These phosphorus compounds acted as chain-transfer agents in both polymerization systems. The parameters (Q_tr,_etr) which indicate the reactivity of a chain-transfer agent were calculated from the observed values of chain-transfer constant for both polymerization systems.     

On the behavior of organophosphorus lactam derivatives during anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam

This article deals with the anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam in the presence of N-substituted phosphorus-containing derivatives of ε-caprolactam: diethyl-(N-caprolactam)-phosphonite (PL₁); diethyl-(N-caprolactam)-phosphonate (PL₂), and 2,5-dichlorophenyl-bis-(N-caprolactam)-phosphinate (PL₃). It has been found out that PL₁ and PL₃ had an accelerating effect on the anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam. The polymerization runs at high velocity and high degree of conversion. PL₂ does not accelerate the anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam, but when the polymerization is activated by a strong activator of acyl lactam type, and the PL₂ concentration is commensurate with that of the activator, the process runs at a slightly lower rate and at a relatively high degree of conversion. The kinetics of the anionic polymerization in the presence of the three compounds was investigated. Equations describing the effect of the reagents on the polymerization rate were suggested. The activating energy of the polymerization was found out. The different actions of PL₁, PL₂, and PL₃ during the anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam were explained by their structural differences.     

Radiation-Induced Polymerization and Pressure-Volume Behavior of Acrylonitrile at High Pressure

Radiation-induced polymerization and pressure-volume (P-V) measurements of acrylonitrile (AN) were studied up to 8000 kg/cm² in the temperature range of 6–72°C. P-V isotherms of AN have several small breaks, A phase diagram of AN was obtained from the breaking pressures and temperatures. Liquid phases were named L_I, L_II, and L_III, from low to high pressure. The polymerization behavior and volume contraction on polymerization changed in L_I, L_II, and L_III. The difference in entropy between original and activated states decreased with increasing pressure at the same phase, but increased with phase change in L_I to L_II and L_II to L_III. It was concluded from these results and from IR data on PAN that molecular packing of AN in liquid changed in L_I, L_II, and L_III. In L_II and L_III, AN molecules aligned in a less suitable geometry for polymerization than in L_I.     

Living cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether using a variety of metal oxides as heterogeneous catalysts: Robust,reusable, and environmentally benign initiating systems

Cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) was examined using a variety of metal oxides in conjunction with IBVE–HCl adduct as a cationogen in toluene at 0 °C. Iron oxides (α‐Fe₂O₃, γ‐Fe₂O₃, and Fe₃O₄) induced living polymerization in the presence of an added base, ethyl acetate or 1,4‐dioxane, to give polymers with very narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs). Conversely, with other metal oxides such as Ga₂O₃, In₂O₃, ZnO, Co₃O₄, and Bi₂O₃, polymers with bimodal MWDs, including long‐lived species along with uncontrolled higher molecular weight portions, were produced in the presence of an added base. A small amount of nBu₄NCl or 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylpyridine (DTBP) suppressed the uncontrolled portion to induce controlled reactions with Ga₂O₃, In₂O₃, and ZnO. The roles of these reagents are discussed in terms of the nature of the active sites of the catalyst surface and the polymerization mechanisms. In addition, the reusability of the catalyst, the effect of stirring before and during polymerization, and the estimation of the number of active sites are also described. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 916–926, 2010     

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) via ARGET ATRP and study of the effect of solvents and temperatures on its polymerization kinetics

This investigation reports the synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) via activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) and studies the effect of solvents and temperature on its polymerization kinetics. ARGET ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in different solvents and at different temperatures using CuBr₂ as catalyst in combination with N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as a ligand. Methyl 2‐chloro propionate was used as ATRP initiator and ascorbic acid was used as a reducing agent in the ARGET ATRP of MMA. The conversion was measured gravimetrically. The semilogarithmic plot of monomer conversion versus time was found to be linear, indicating that the polymerization follows first‐order kinetics. The linear polymerization kinetic plot also indicates the controlled nature of the polymerization. N,N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene, and methyl ethyl ketone were used as solvents to study the effect on the polymerization kinetics. The effect of temperature on the kinetics of the polymerization was also studied at various temperatures. It has been observed that polymerization followed first‐order kinetics in every case. The rate of polymerization was found to be highest (k_app = 6.94 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹) at a fixed temperature when DMF was used as solvent. Activation energies for ARGET ATRP of MMA were also calculated using the Arrhenius equation.     

Polymerization of acenaphthylene by transition metal catalysts

The polymerization of acenaphthylene (ACN) was examined in the presence of the group V and VI transition metal salts such as WCl₆, MoCl₅, TaCl₅, and NbCl₅, as catalysts under various reaction conditions. These transition metal salts were found to be effective catalysts for the polymerization of ACN. The polymerization of ACN by WCl₆ in chlorobenzene proceeded at a high initial rate when the monomer to catalyst mole ratio was 200. In addition, it was observed that aromatic solvents generally were found to be superior to aliphatic solvents for both conversion and molecular weight. The structure of the resulting polymers was characterized by means of NMR, IR, UV, and x-ray diffraction. Emission properties were also investigated. Fluorescence emission spectra of the polymers obtained by WCl₆ as a catalyst varied strongly depending on the polymerization solvent. Thus, it appears that the polyacenaphthylene produced by WCl₆ was a different configuration dependent on the polymerization solvents used.     

Rare earth complexes [Ln(EDBP)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(DME)Na(DME)<Subscript>3</Subscript>] as catalysts for the polymerization of 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate

The biphenol based discrete ion-pair rare earth complexes,[Ln（EDBP）₂（DME）Na（DME）₃][Ln=Er（1）,Yb（2）, Sm（3）],were prepared and used as catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization（ROP）of 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate（DTC）.Three complexes show moderate activities for the polymerization,and the catalytic activities increase in the following sequence:（Yb2 elimination was prepared.     

Vinyl polymerization with Fe(III)-thiourea as initiator system. Part I. General features and kinetics of Fe(ClO4)3-thiourea reaction

Initiation of polymerization of methyl methacrylate, styrene, and acrylonitrile with the redox system Fe(III)—thiourea has been examined. For the heterophase polymerization any of the ferric salts, such as FeCl₃, Fe₂(SO₄)₃, and Fe(ClO₄)₃ can be used as oxidant, but there is no polymerization in the homogeneous phase when FeCl₃ is used as oxidant. It was also observed that Fe(ClO₄)₃ retards the radical polymerization of styrene, though this salt has hardly any effect on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Further, the reaction between Fe(ClO₄)₃ and thiourea was found to be kinetically of second order. The rate is largely influenced by the nature of the solvent. It is concluded that apart from the dielectric constant of the solvents, specific effects like complex formation of Fe(III) with solvents should have a marked influence on the rate of this reaction.     

Monomer-Isomerization polymerization. XXVIII. Catalytic activity of transition metals and alkylaluminums in monomer-isomerization polymerization of 2-butene

Monomer-isomerization polymerization of cis-2-butene (c2B) with Ziegler–Natta catalysts was studied to find a highly active catalyst. Among the transition metals [TiCl₃, TiCl₄, VCl₃, VOCl₃, and V (acac)₃] and alkylauminums used, TiCl₃? R₃Al (R = C₂H₅ and i-C₄H₉) was found to show a high-activity for monomer-isomerization polymerization of c2B. The polymer yield was low with TiCl₄? (C₂H₅)₃Al catalyst. However, when NiCl₂ was added to this catalyst, the polymer yield increased. With TiCl₃? (C₂H₅)₃Al catalyst, the effect of the Al/Ti molar ratio was observed and a maximum for the polymer yields was obtained at molar ratios of 2.0–3.0, but the isomerization increased as a function of Al/Ti molar ratio. The valence state of titanium on active sites for isomerization and polymerization is discussed.     

Effects of metal salts on polymerization. VI. Photo and thermally catalyzed polymerization of N-vinylimidazole in the presence of metal salts

Polymerization of 2-methyl-1-vinylimidazole (MVI) and 2-ethyl-1-vinylimidazole (EVI) was found to be markedly photosensitized in the presence of oxidizing metal salts such as UO₂(NO₃)₂, Ce(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆, Hg(CH₃COO)₂, AgNO₃; non-oxidizing metal salts such as Zn^II did not act as photosensitizers. The interaction of monomer with a metal salt is discussed on the basis of infrared and electronic spectroscopy. This photopolymerization is very specific with respect to the kind of monomer. The polymerization of noncomplexing monomer (styrene) is not photosensitized by these metal salts. Consequently, photosensitized electron transfer between monomer and metal salt via complex formation is considered to be the most probable initiation mechanism. Cupric acetate and sodium chlorolaurate, which have been reported as efficient initiators for the polymerization of vinylpyridine and N-vinylcarbazole, respectively, act as linear terminators of growing radicals. The radical polymerizability of the zinc complex of MVI was studied by means of copolymerization with styrene. The reduction of the reactivity of MVI on complexing was explained by correlating with the spectroscopic observations. Because the polymerization system is heterogeneous, a detailed discussion was not possible.     

Heptane-soluble homogeneous zirconocene catalyst: Synthesis of a single diastereomer,polymerization catalysis,and effect of silica supports

Bis(1-indenyl)-di[1′S, 2′R, 5′S)-methoxy]silane ( 1 ) was converted into a mixture of corresponding ansa-diastereomeric zirconocenes. Further purification afforded a single dia-stereomer, di[(1′S, 2′R, 5′S)-methoxy] silylene-bis[η⁵-1(R, R)-(+)-indenyl] dichlorozirconium ( 2 ), which is optically active and hydrocarbon soluble. Extremely rapid ethylene, propylene, and ethylene-hexene polymerizations were observed both in toluene and n-heptane solutions; for instance, at 50°C, activity for ethylene polymerization reaches ～ 1.5×10¹⁰ (g of PE/((mol of Zr) · [C₂H₄] · h). The “bare” zirconocenium ion generated from 2/TIBA/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ exhibits unusual polymerization behaviors; the polymerization activity increases monotonically with temperature of polymerization (T_p) up to a conventional polymerization condition (50–70°C), and the ¹³C NMR study shows that the isotactic poly-propylene obtained has fairly high [mmmm] methyl pentad distributions at high T_p (?25°C with [mmmm] ～ 0.93–0.75) and a perfect stereoregularity at low T_p (?0°C with [mmmm] > 0.99). The catalyst precursors 2 and Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ ( 3 ) supported on silica by different approaches produced poly(olefins) of different molecular weights and stereoregularities, and a methylaluminokane and Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ free silica-supported zirconocene system was found to be activated by triisobutylaluminum. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Hydrolysis and Polymerization of Dimethyldiethoxysilane, Methyltrimethoxysilane and Tetramethoxysilane in Presence of Aluminum Acetylacetonate. A Complex Catalyst for the Formation of Siloxanes

Hydrolysis and polymerization of dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDE), methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) in the presence of aluminum acetylacetonate (Al(acac)₃) have been investigated by infrared and NMR spectroscopy. In the absence of acidic catalyst, Al(acac)₃ catalyzes the hydrolysis of all the silanes. The catalytic activity of Al(acac)₃ is less than that of HNO₃, but larger than that of NH₃. The hydrolysis rate increases with increasing concentration of Al(acac)₃ in DMDE. The hydrolysis of TMOS occurs rapidly after an inductive period, which becomes longer with addition of Al(acac)₃. The results are explained by assuming an Al(acac)₃ catalyzed hydrolysis and a silanol catalyzed hydrolysis. The addition of Al(acac)₃ causes changes in polymerization of the resultant silanols. In DMDE and MTMS, it stabilizes the silanols at the early stage, and then enhances their polymerization. The polymerization in TMOS leads to the formation of precipitates that have a high degree of polymerization. The polymerization appears to proceed via a deprotonation mechanism including transfer of protons from silanols to Al(acac)₃. The present results strongly suggest that, besides acids and bases, metal complexes can be used as catalysts for the formation of siloxanes under ambient conditions.     

Homo- and copolymerization of butadiene and styrene with neodymium tricarboxylate catalysts

Homo- and copolymerizations of butadiene (BD) and styrene (St) with rare-earth metal catalysts, including the most active neodymium (Nd)-based catalysts, have been examined, and the cis-1,4 polymerization mechanism was investigated by the diad analysis of copolymers. Polymerization activity of BD was markedly affected not only by the ligands of the catalysts but also by the central rare-earth metals, whereas that of St was mainly affected by the ligands. In the series of Nd-based catalysts [Nd(OCOR)₃:R = CF₃, CCl₃, CHCl₂, CH₂Cl, CH₃], Nd(OCOCCl₃)₃ gave a maximum polymerization activity of BD, which decreased with increasing or decreasing the pKa value of the ligands. This tendency was different from that for Gd(OCOR)₃ catalysts, where the CF₃ derivative led to the highest polymerization activity of BD. For the polymerization of St and its copolymerization with BD, the maximum activities were attained at R = CCl₃ for both Nd- and Gd-based catalysts. The copolymerization of BD and St with Nd(OCOCCl₃)₃ catalyst was also carried out at various monomer feed ratios, to evaluate the monomer reactivity ratios as r_BD = 5.66 and r_St = 0.86. The cis-1,4 content in BD unit decreased with increasing St content in copolymers. From the diad analysis of copolymers, it was indicated that Nd(OCOCCl₃)₃ catalyst controls the cis-1,4 structure of the BD unit by a back-biting coordination of the penultimate BD unit. Furthermore, the long range coordination of polymer chain by the neodymium catalyst was suggested to assist the cis-1,4 polymerization. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 241–247, 1998